Polls for by-elections open in Georgia

Georgia is going to the polls today to elect a member of parliament, five mayors and members of eight city councils (Sakrebulo) across the country. 

Polls opened at 8 a.m. this morning for 402,091 eligible voters at 410 polling stations.

Elections are being held:

• in the Mtatsminda district of Georgia’s capital of Tbilisi to elect an MP;
• in five municipalities: Marneuli, Zestaponi, Chiatura, Zugdidi and Khulo to elect mayors;
• in eight municipalities: Sagarejo, Akhmeta, Adigeni, Zestaponi, Chiatura, Tkibuli, Tskaltubi and Ozurgeti to elect members of Sakrebulo [city council.]

Municipal elections were held in Georgia in October 2017, while parliamentary elections were held in October 2016. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

The election legislation prohibits any election campaigning at the polling stations on election day.

It also prohibits election campaign paid or free advertisements on TV and radio broadcasters or to publish public opinion polls until the voting ends.

• 6,139 observers of 49 local organisations have registered to monitor by-elections;
• 47 observers of 7 international organisations have registered to observe the race;
• 1,917 representatives of 45 media outlets have registered to cover the Election Day;
• 6,556 representatives of election subjects have also registered to monitor the process.

All the polling stations will close at exactly 8 p.m. and the process of counting votes will begin immediately.

Votes will be counted electronically at eight polling stations of Tkibuli and Tskaltubo in western Georgia.

Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

The Central Election Commission (CEC) called on all voters “to actively participate” in today’s by-elections.

Public Defender Nino Lomjaria also called on everyone involved in the election process “to support the peaceful and safe conduct” of by-elections, including through the prevention of violence.

The Interior Ministry promised to ensure that today’s by-elections will be held in “a free, democratic and safe environment”.